Revenue Canada Worker Fired After Making Video Game

A Twitter tidal wave of supportive tweets is buoying Brampton game developer David S. Gallant, who has been fired from his Canada Revenue Agency job following a Star story about an online game he created.

Gallant confirmed in a tweet early Wednesday morning that he got fired from his job as a part-time employee answering calls to the Canada Revenue Agency. The Star has not been able to reach him directly.

But it’s apparent in the Twittersphere, where he has acquired hundreds of followers overnight, that he has tons of support. Sales of his online game, according to one tweet, are “through the roof.”

Gallant’s online game, I Get This Call Every Day, allows the player to listen to a conversation between an unprepared, annoying caller and a government-style call centre employee. At least one of the game graphics refers to “Last Tax Return.’’ The player gets to make choices as to how the call-centre worker responds but in many of the scenarios, the employee gets fired.

And as it turns out, that’s what’s happened to Gallant in real life.

But support for the indie game developer on Twitter has been huge, with at least one person declaring that he chose to spend $50 to buy the game online. The minimum fee is $2 but players have a choice to pay whatever they want.

Ironically, Gallant’s website said people could pay more to “help the developer escape the job that inspired this game.”

Gallant does not appear to be too devastated by what’s happened. In one tweet he says: “I have an incredible opportunity now, and I have received a massive outpouring of support. I am so thankful.’’